Comments on: How to stop those maple bats from shattering

By: OddManOut

OddManOut — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:21:57 +0000

This supposed “ban” on Maple is nothing more than a ploy to make the public think MLB is actually doing something for safety, but it’s not. The real concerns are in the Major Leagues where more than 60% of bats are made from maple and the most serious injuries occur. In the minor leagues, ash bats comprise more than 90% of bats used because they are cheaper than maple and don’t break as often. 2010 is going to be a wakeup call for bat manufacturers and MLB when the next injury occurs because it could have been avoided and they passed over the very thing that can solve this problem accross the board. What excuse will they have in 2010?

By: OddManOut

OddManOut — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:02:59 +0000

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:58:05 +0000

Awwww, not really! Sammy Sosa used corked bats all the time and they never flew apart on him. I would definitely stay away from whatever aftershave he used, though - unless you really want a complexion like Michael Jackson's.

By: TopSlugger

TopSlugger — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:03:12 +0000

Corking a bat makes the bat more prone to shattering, more dangerous…. and besides, it violates MLB rule 1.10. They need to use the thing that has already passed MLB tests 100% and meets their rules…. The Bat Glove. It’s the only thing that makes sense that can keep the bats in the players hands and keep everyone safe.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:47:35 +0000

So change the rules. I can remember when the pitcher had to hit, too.

By: willmose

willmose — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:04:49 +0000

Interesting idea but is against the rules, of course.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:17:53 +0000

Wouldn’t filling the core of the bat with cork and a little epoxy make it more shatter resistant?
.
Failing that, I hear Dutch Elm makes a pretty solid bat too.

By: TopSlugger

TopSlugger — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:07:42 +0000

The bats used by the Arizona DBacks in 2009 were the Missoula Osprey minor league team. Over 200 bats with the BatGlove were used and not one occurance was reported of a bat that went on the field when it broke according to a pregame show I saw in Sept 2009. Derek Hall, owner of the DBacks even said that it was working great and that this invention should be spread throughout MLB to keep the fans, players and umpire safe. Mark Grace even said that if he was still playing he would use this invention on his bat for the rest of his career. The next injury that will eventually happen in 2010 could be prevented but MLB passed over the very thing they say they were looking for.

By: madhatters

madhatters — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:56:02 +0000

Unfortunately Ash bats just aren’t practical
If these sheathed Maples work then they need to install them immediately in the Major’s. There have been no significant injury due to the Maple bats but it’s just a matter of time and inches.

By: PalookaJoe

PalookaJoe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:01:33 +0000

I think the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks AAA team) tried them last year. Mark Grace, our color commentator, discussed them on several occasions. It sounds like the goal is to work them into AAA, build player confidence, and bring them in with a new generation of players.

By: IdahoMariner

IdahoMariner — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:21:05 +0000

so….why doesn’t MLB try this? It IS worth asking if there is anything short of a ban that would address the safety concerns.